Tesla has a software update rolling out now to cars worldwide that corrects a problem caused by the previous version. The issue was that the heater controls became much more difficult to access. This is resolved after the latest update, which is a relief, even though the solution comes at the beginning of spring instead of winter when it would have been more appreciated.
The latest Tesla models use heat pumps for climate control, a nice upgrade in efficiency over the usual resistive heating that most vehicles still rely on. Naturally, an electric car benefits greatly from energy savings since that leaves more battery power for an increased driving range. Charging takes a bit longer than filling a tank of gas and even with a full battery, the range is often less than a fossil fuel vehicle. Therefore, every little bit of power reserve is optimized for the most efficiency.
After a frustrating few months of having to dig through menus to access heating controls during the coldest part of winter, Tesla is rolling out software version 2002.12.1, or v12.1, which contains several improvements, including a solution for the v11 problem with heater controls. This new update makes it possible to customize the lower bar so a shortcut to the seat heater and defrost controls can be accessed quickly. This is done in a manner similar to repositioning apps on an iPhone or Android, simply touch and hold any icon in the dock, then drag a control into the preferred location on the dock. Afterward, it's a simple matter to tap the seat heaters and various other controls there for instant access, with a maximum of five allowed. The release notes were shared by Not A Tesla App
Everything Else New With Tesla v12.1
Other changes include more accurate charging time estimates that take into consideration the battery pack temperature and its impact on charging. A newer version of the web browser also provides some nice improvements and is based on Chromium updates for better rendering and enhanced security. Other changes include search bar autocomplete, making it faster to get to frequently visited websites, an option to clear browser history, and showing favorites as suggestions when a new tab is opened.
Child lock can be enabled for the right or left rear door, providing some much-needed flexibility for families. Also, the Tesla app will be able to place the car into Dog Mode or Camp Mode from a smartphone when using version 4.7.0 of the mobile app and software v12.1 on the Tesla vehicle. Combining several convenience features with operational improvements, the Tesla software v12.1 is something to look forward to, and highlights the ongoing refinement and attention to detail.
Source: Not A Tesla App